Par nirvana (death and transcendence of the Buddha) and attendant arhats
Qiao Bin Chinese
Not on view
This is a depiction of the Buddha’s nirvana. His attendants are all in deep sorrow: one wipes away a tear, while others seem to be crying out or, alternatively, at a loss for words. The Buddha, however, is shown in a state of near sleep, indicating a heavenly wisdom.
According to the inscription on the back and sides of the couch on which the Buddha reclines, a monk had these sculptures made in 1503 as a private act of devotion. They were originally part of a larger group of figures from the Qiao family workshop in Yangcheng, Shanxi Province.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.